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Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Experience Scholarship
2026-2027

"Gerry’s ability to pass on his knowledge and teach others has helped so many of us and the scholarship is a fitting tribute to his legacy, I know he would be very proud.  I will always be grateful that I can call Gerry both a mentor and friend."
- Nick Cope, Manager at Stanley Lodge Stud

Click to see testimonials from previous recipients about their experience.

 
 

Why Kentucky?

Lexington, Kentucky is a mid-sized city located in central Kentucky that is characterized by its strong thoroughbred breeding and racing industries.

The historic and picturesque Keeneland racetrack and public auction sales grounds is about ten minutes from downtown Lexington. Keeneland races twice a year each April and October and holds sales in January, April, September and November. In April the track stages several Grade 1 races over dirt and turf including the Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and Central Bank Ashland Stakes which serve as important trials for the following month’s Kentucky Derby and Oaks held at Churchill Downs in nearby Louisville. The October meet features more graded races that attract Breeders’ Cup bound horses that will compete in the world championship event due to be held in 2026 at Keeneland at the end of the month.

There is year-round horse racing in the state of Kentucky with Churchill staging the Derby and Oaks in May and many other important races in their later meets during the year.  Turfway Park in northern Kentucky, Kentucky Downs in Franklin, and Ellis Park in Henderson fill in the remainder of the racing calendar.

Kentucky Experience scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to attend racing while placed at their farms during the year, with both Keeneland and Churchill as must-see events for those new to the state. Keeneland is a charming and stylish venue for the racegoer as top-class racing is complimented by a vibrant and enthusiastic audience with its young demographic profile of students from the Lexington based University Of Kentucky. Churchill is the historic venue where thirteen Triple Crown winners commenced their famous trinity of classic wins in the Kentucky Derby. Colts like Seattle Slew, American Pharoah and Justify emerged from this Louisville dirt oval to the summit of equine greatness.

The Keeneland public auction sales will be a very important segment of your time in Kentucky, where scholarship recipients will be encouraged to participate, attend and experience the size and scale of the American bloodstock market. These sales attract an international audience with buyers from all continents keen on purchasing both dirt and turf performers of the highest caliber. Fasig Tipton sales also conduct public auction sales in Lexington for mares, foals, yearlings and racehorses in February, July, October and November. These two auction houses offer close to eight thousand horses each year on their grounds.

There is a huge Irish community in the Lexington area, most of whom are involved with horses for thoroughbred racing and breeding and with showjumpers and eventers. The world famous Kentucky Horse Park primarily caters for the sport horse community holding many competitions during the year including the CSI5 level Kentucky International Horse Show and the Kentucky Three Day Event, both in April.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is also renowned for its bourbon with many international brand names such as Buffalo Trace, Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark having distilleries in the state. The Bourbon Trail is an important facet of local tourism, offering tours and experiences in many beautiful bourbon producing plants and is another must see.

Kentucky has been likened to Ireland by those who traveled here to work with horses. With its gently rolling hills and a welcoming community, the state is a comfortable and enjoyable destination for anyone who wishes to experience the land, horse and people. Agriculture is important to the economy with hundreds of farms in the area for horses, cattle and crop production.

Lexington has a thriving restaurant and bar scene with many venues easily accessible downtown. There are of course some Irish themed bars including McCarthy’s and The Jockey that serve as magnets to all those involved in the Bloodstock industry.

Hunter Valley Farm in Versailles, a neighboring small town to Lexington, was set up in 2004 by four Irishmen, Adrian Regan, Fergus Galvin, Tony Hegarty and John Wade. This farm offers full-service boarding, foaling and sales preparation. As consignors, Hunter Valley participates in all the major breeding stock and yearling sales in Lexington selling the famous Scat Daddy as a yearling in their first year of operation. Hunter Valley Farm and partners are also involved in racing horses at the highest level including G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel.

Gabriel and Aisling Duignan’s Springhouse Farm in Lexington is also a full-service boarding, foaling and sales preparation farm. Gabriel is a managing partner in leading consignor Paramount Sales who have been responsible for many G1 winners over the years including Derby winner Nyquist and multiple G1 winners Life Is Good and Jack Christopher.

Hunter Valley and Springhouse have for many years welcomed young Irish men and women to work on their farms and play their part in molding and educating equine careers. Their owners enjoy in the tradition of Gerry Dilger himself, teaching the next generation all about day to day horse husbandry and the experience of living in a town that is horse mad !

Click to see our Kentucky promo video

 

 

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Recent graduate/Graduating this year from:
    • University of Limerick
    • University College Dublin
    • Irish National Stud
    • CAFRE Enniskillen
    • Kildalton Agriculture College
    • Trinity College
    • University of Galway
    • Cork College FET Equine Studies and Business
    • Maynooth University
    • TUS Athlone
    with a Bachelor's degree in equine science, or other related equine degree or program
  • OR, five years' experience working on a horse farm outside the US
  • Able to commit to a one-year period from July 2026 – June 2027
  • Application and information due April 1, 2026

 

This Scholarship Provides:

  • Airfare for student to travel to the United States, and home at completion of program. Ticket must be economy/coach class, maximum amount $1500. Must provide proof of payment for reimbursement.
  • Payment for the cost of the required J1 visa, including the required insurance
  • An opportunity to work on a prominent Lexington, Kentucky thoroughbred farm with an hourly wage and housing provided
  • Student is responsible for own car, if a car is desired for personal use.
  • Paid time off for Christmas holiday

 

Application

Please enter all of the required fields.

“There are so many of us that have been through Dromoland at some stage in our careers and almost without fail - everyone will say it’s some of their fondest memories working for Gerry. I wouldn’t be doing what I am for a living if it hadn’t been for him. I suspect that’s true of a lot of us.”

Killian McStay (Dromoland Farm 2011-2013)

Manager Oaklawn Stud Ireland

“Gerry was not only a mentor but a friend to many. He made me feel right at home when I landed at Dromoland in 2016. He was a true gentleman. He had such a love for horses and a passion for teaching young people. I personally learned so much while I was at Dromoland Farm. I can safely say I was one of the lucky ones to have known and worked with Gerry Dilger.

Thank you Gerry for the experience and the most memorable year of my life.”

Laura Bennett (2016)

Yard foreman at Irish National Stud

“The day I walked into Dromoland Farm was a very lucky one! I certainly would not be where I am today without Gerry’s help and encouragement over the five years that I spent there. He had such a natural eye for a horse, it was impossible not to learn just by being around him. Even after I left Dromoland and came home to Ireland Gerry got a great kick out of any success I had. A great mentor and a great friend.”

Paula Flannery (1998 - 2003)

“It’s hard to put into few words what impact Gerry had on me and my career journey in the business. I think everyone who met through Dromoland Farm all have an unbreakable bond that we all formed through Gerry. Not only did I admire him and everything that he achieved, but respected him so much as a person. Working for Gerry was the best thing I ever did. He believed in me and my ability and gave me so many opportunities to develop and become the confident horse woman I am today. He encouraged and taught me and everyone who worked for him. He thrived on seeing individuals do the best that they could and the love he had for the horse was undeniable. I learned so much from him and he will forever be my greatest mentor.”

Erin Rogers (Dromoland Farm 2017-2020)

Farm Manager, Norevale Farm.

“Having started part time during the summer of 1999 at Dromoland Farm and worked the September sale, I witnessed Gerry’s first “million dollar baby” sale for a Deputy Minister colt out of Isle Go West. This was a huge achievement for Gerry, Bridie, Quincy and all the team at that time selling for $1.8M. Gerry agreed to sponsor my visa for the summer of 2000 and I ended up staying with him for two years. While there I gained valuable experience with Gerry and the team prepping yearlings, foaling mares and getting mares in foal. This is where I truly learned and improved my horsemanship skills. It was difficult to leave, but my time at Dromoland catapulted me to greater things. After leaving Gerry I became Assistant Farm Manager at Ned Evans Spring Hill Farm in Virginia. Later I travelled the globe from Argentina to New Zealand and Japan, until I eventually settled back in Ireland, now managing Godolphin’s Ballysheehan and Victor Studs.”

Willie Brogan (Ballysheehan & Victor Studs, Cashel, Co. Tipperary)

Farm Manager

“I cannot begin to put into words how much I owe Gerry, for the opportunities he gave me. He was an outstanding horseman and the most generous man you could meet for giving time to help young people. From the day I arrived at Dromoland, he never stopped believing in me and is the sole reason that I got accepted onto Godolphin Flying Start. Without his belief, I would most definitely not be where I am today.

Since 2014, I have been fortunate enough to travel the world in the racing industry, and it didn’t matter where I was, somebody would fondly regale a story of Dromoland and Gerry Dilger. There are an endless list of people in the industry worldwide, thriving on the wisdom that Gerry imparted. He had a wonderful knack for spotting potential in both equine & human talent. A rare ability to put faith in young people and know that they would reward him for his time down the line. The best boss I have had to-date – his ability to stretch and challenge you, yet give comfort that he always had your back, resulted in countless people developing their horsemanship under his tutelage.

Working at Dromoland was never just a job, it was embracing an extended family.

Mentors like Gerry are rare, out in the lunge pit with the Ralph Lauren sleeves rolled up, telling us “you can’t buy those hands in Walmart”, but I couldn’t think of a more fitting way than this scholarship, to ensure Gerry’s legacy lives on.”

Emma Pugsley (Dromoland 2014)

Nominations, Coolmore Australia

“Dromoland Farm was a home away from home. Gerry was not only an incredible horseman, but a tremendous teacher and leader to all who spent time on the farm. Gerry took great pride in educating and training the next generation. What we learned went far beyond horsemanship and breeding skills. He helped us all grow as individuals through encouragement and support. Gerry was a very humble man who put all his achievements down to luck. However, ask anyone who worked for him and they’ll say it was down to his hard working attitude, passion and an extraordinary eye for a horse. He was a leader who led by example. He was extremely hands-on on the farm and I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to learn from him.”

Sylvia O'Donnell (Dromoland Farm 2017)

Shipping, BBA Ireland

"Squeezing the meaning of the year I spent working for Gerry at Dromoland into just a few sentences won't do it justice but I'll try anyway. That year was one of the best years of my life. From the beginning I received training and mentorship in so many facets of an operating stud farm on a level that can be rare in this industry. Gerry's immense generosity, his wonderful skill for pinhooking and an amazing experience that allowed me to prep an eventual Kentucky Derby winner are just some of the things that I will be eternally grateful for."

Carol Kelly (Dromoland Farm 2014-2015)

Stud Hand, Rheinwood Pastoral (Australia)

“I spent a summer in Dromoland in 2015 and needless to say I loved every minute of it. When you hear anyone speak about Gerry, it’s always in legendary terms, simply because he was a legend. I’ve been back to Kentucky every November since 2015 and Gerry was always there for a word of advice and support when it was needed. As he used to say himself about a good horse, he was simply “Different gravy”

Tom Fogarty

Nominations Sales Executive, Kildangan Stud

“Working at Dromoland Farm set me on a career path in the Equine Nutrition Industry. Gerry took the time to teach me many skills in my early days at Dromoland, but it was Gerry’s willingness to help someone starting out that left a lasting impression on me. Gerry encouraged me to pursue my interest in nutrition and was hugely supportive when I commenced work in this field.”

Joanne Hurley M.Agr. SC, (Dromoland Farm 1999 – 2002)

Irish Country Manager, GAIN Equine Nutrition, Ireland

“Gerry Dilger was a brilliant horseman and absolute gentleman. I have nothing but admiration for Gerry in how he carved out a career in the industry. From completing the Irish National Stud Course and climbing the ladder to own and manage Dromoland Farm is incredible. The number of people that have gone on to long and successful careers in the thoroughbred industry having spent time at Dromoland Farm speaks volumes about the kind man Gerry was. Gerry’s work ethic and enthusiasm in the barn was infectious, he got the best out of his staff and would do anything for those that were willing to learn and to progress in their careers. His eye for a horse and attention to detail in caring for them was second to none, you don’t raise and sell back-to-back Kentucky Derby winners by chance. Gerry’s ability to pass on his knowledge and teach others has helped so many of us and the scholarship is a fitting tribute to his legacy, I know he would be very proud. I will always be grateful that I can call Gerry both a mentor and friend.”

Nick Cope

Manager at Stanley Lodge Stud

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